The Book of Life

With Halloween just ending and November starting, I wanted to write about my favorite movie – The Book of Life.  The Book of Life is based off of the holiday Dia de los Muertos.  In English – Day of the Dead.  As previously written, my family moved to Mexico in July of 2011, and home February 2013.  I have grown to love the Mexican culture.  I love everything about Mexico.  Devin could attest to that.  I love the food, the people, the country – everything! With that being said, I love this holiday.  It is by far my favorite “Mexican” holiday.  

Dia de los Muertos is celebrated vastly throughout Mexico.  Many other countries around the world celebrate their own versions of Day of the Dead by having special days designated to honoring the dead.  I would have to say that Dia de los Muertos is one of the most important holiday’s in the Mexican culture.  Familia means everything to them, making this a very important holiday to remember their ancestry.  

Dia de los Muertos official day is November 2^nd, however many people begin their celebration on October 31st.  This beautiful holiday corresponds with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, which are Catholic holidays.  The reason that they celebrate it on both November 1st and November 2nd is because traditionally they would celebrate children and infants who have passed on the 1st, and adults on the 2nd.  A lot of people will make altars for their loved ones and decorate it with candles (symbolizing life) and make sugar candies to trade and give away. 

ANYWAYS! – now that I have provided a minor history lesson, back to the movie! THE BOOK OF LIFE.  It’s adorable.  The story starts out with La Muerte, who rules the Land of the Remembered, and Xibalba.  He rules the Land of the Forgotten. Xibalba is sick and tired of being the ruler of the people who are forgotten.  He wants to rule the Land of the Remembered.  On the Day of the Dead, Xibalba and La Muerte make a wager to see who will marry Maria – Manolo or Joaquin.  La Muerte puts her money on Manolo, while Xibalba bets on Joaquin.  However, Xibalba cheats and gives Joaquin a medal that will make him invincible.  The Medal of Everlasting Life. 

Manolo is a Sanchez.  His family history is bull fighting.  His father, Carlos, believes that he can be the best bull fighter in the entire Sanchez family.  However, Manolo wants to sing and play his guitar.  Joaquin’s father is the town’s biggest hero.  He has big shoes to fill.

Maria is General Ramiro Posada’s daughter.  She believes in all things right.  When Maria, Manolo y Joaquin were little, she set a herd of pigs free who were about to become bacon.  As a result of this, her father sends her to Spain to become more lady-like.  At her departure, Manolo gives her a gift – Chuy, the baby pig she rescued.  (pronounced chewy) In return, Maria gives Manolo a new guitar, engraved with the phrase, “Always play from the heart”. 

While Manolo is being trained to be a bull fighter (much to his dismay), his father has planned his first public bull fight.  As luck would have it, Maria returned that same day.  Manolo defeats the bull, but does not believe in killing it.  This angers his father, but pleases Maria.   That very same night, Maria’s father is pressuring her to marry Joaquin so that he will remain in the city and keep them safe from Chakal.  Manolo also proposes, but is bitten by a two headed snake that Xibalba sent after him. 

When Manolo goes to the Land of the Remembered, he is greeted by the entire Sanchez family! All bull fighters – along with his mother, Carmen.  Meanwhile, Maria has accepted Joaquin’s proposal after learning about Manolo’s death. 

Manolo and his family travel to La Muerte’s castle, only to find Xibalba.  Manolo and members of his family travel to the Cave of Souls in order to reach La Muerte, who is now in the Land of the Forgetten.  After battling battles that no person has ever won before,  Manolo reaches the Candle Maker.  Candle Maker takes him to La Muerte after seeing that Manolo’s pages in the Book of Life is blank and can be written by Manolo. Here he explains to her that Xibalba cheated.  Since he cheated, she insists that they send him back up to the real world.  Manolo makes a wager with Xibalba.  If Manolo can defeat a giant bull skeleton, (made up of bones from every bull the Sanchez family has killed) he can return to Maria. 

Just before Maria was set to marry Joaquin, Chakal enters the city with this army.  He is on a quest to find the Medal of Everlasting Life.  Since Manolo won the wager, Candle Maker, La Muerte y Xibalba send Manolo to life, along with the Sanchez family to help defeat Chakal. 

The story ends with Maria and Manolo getting married.  Candle Maker also encourages the audience to “write your own story.”

I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! Seriously – everyone needs to see this.  Even if you don’t believe in Dia de los Muertos, this is a must see— By far my most favorite movie in the entire world.  I would absolutely recommend it to anyone. 

***to see the trailer of this movie, click here!

La Muerte

La Muerte y Xibalba

Sanchez Family